There is no one, original Book of Shadows (BoS or BOS).  Each BoS is unique to the individual practitioner. Covens will occasionally share a single BoS, or each coven member may copy out of a ‘master’ coven BoS and add their own work to their individual books.  Many covens within a single tradition may also share a ‘master’ BoS which contains by-laws, articles of incorporation, and tax-exempt status documents.  However, even when a tradition has a ‘master’ BoS, it is normal for each individual to have a personal BoS.

When a coven does have a ‘master’ BoS, it is normal for the High Priestess or High Priest to house the book.  Some covens have a special role for the person in possesion of the book such as scribe, guardian or keymaster.  In these formal coven structures, new initiates are allowed to copy sections of the ‘master’ BoS into their own personal books.

It is unlikely, or rather, nearly impossible that there was ever a ‘true original Book of Shadows’.  Like most folk traditions and religions, teachings were passed on orally and sometimes developed into myths and fairy tales.

There are some famous Books of Shadows, such as Gerald B. Gardner’s pictured in this lesson, which contains reconstructed rituals including information from many sources such as The Greater Key of Solomon, Freemasonry, the Golden Dawn, Robert Graves, Charles Leland (remember he wrote Aradia from the previous lesson), Aleister Crowley, etc.

No discussion of the “Book of Shadows” would be complete without a reference to the pseudo-archaic entry in Gerald B. Gardner’s original Book of Shadows about keeping a book in your “own hand of write”.  This passage appeared publicly around 1954 in Gerald Gardner’s works and may date from a 12th century Book of Shadows.

However, the authenticity, age, and origins of this passage are debatable due to the references of to going “to the pyre” when Witches in England were hanged, not burned prior to Reformation.  At the same time, there were not magistrates prior to Reformation.  Although Witches were burned at the stake in Scotland, this passage does not appear to have originated there.  Also, at the time torture was used, Witches were most likely illiterate.  It is probable that this passage is actually a mixture of Victorian writing of the 1800s and orally handed down traditions.

Do you need to know all this?  Maybe not.  However, there are two things you should know about this passage:
1. This passage is a classic found in many books and used as a first page or “Warning & Protection” in many Books of Shadows.
2. This passage is of dubious authenticity and origin.

So here follows the classic entry:

“Keep a book in your own hand of write. Let brothers and sisters copy what they will; but never let the book out of your hands and never keep the writings of another, for if found in their hand of write they may well be taken and tortured. Each shall guard his own writing and destroy it whenever danger threatens. Learn as much as you may by heart, and when danger is past rewrite your book if it be safe. For this reason, if any die, destroy their book if they have not been able to, for an it be found ’tis clear proof against them’, and ‘Ye may not be a witch alone’, so all their friends be in danger of torture. So destroy everything not necessary. If your book be found on you ’tis clear proof against you alone and you may be tortured. Keep all thoughts of the cult from your mind; say you had bad dreams, a devil caused you to write this without your knowledge. Think to yourself, “I know nothing. I remember nothing. I have forgotten all.” Drive this into your mind. If the torture be too great to bear, say, “I will confess, I cannot bear this torment. What do you want me to say? Tell me and I will say it.” If they try to make you speak of impossibilities, such as flying through the air, consorting with the Devil and sacrificing children and eating man’s flesh, to obtain relief from torture say, “I had an evil dream, I was not myself, I was crazed.”

Not all magistrates are bad. If there be an excuse they may show mercy. If you have confessed aught, deny it afterwards; say you babbled under the torture, you knew not what you did or said. If you be condemned, fear not; the Brotherhood is powerful. They may help you to escape if you are steadfast. ‘Tis sure, if steadfast you go to the pyre, drugs will help you; they will reach you a nd you will feel naught. An you go but to death, what lies beyond? The ecstasy of the Goddess.

“The same of the Working Tools; let them be as ordinary things that any may have in their houses. Let the pentacles be of wax that they may be melted or broken at once. Have no sword unless your rank allows you one, and have no names or signs on anything. Write the names and signs on in ink before consecrating them and wash off immediately after. Never boast, never threaten, never say you would wish ill to anyone. If you speak of the Craft, say, “Speak not to me of such it frightens me, ’tis evil luck to talk of it” ¹

Gerald B. Gardener

There isn’t a great deal of information in this passage that still applies to modern Witchcraft or Wicca. Not all Books of Shadows are handwritten, many are printed from devices or remain digital. Witches often keep the writings of others, especially excerpts from favorite books. Books of Shadows are very rarely destroyed due to danger or upon the death of a Witch and are often prized family heirlooms passed down to children, etc. (Note: In your presentation book, you may wish to leave instructions for others who may discover this book after you have passed away.)

There is, however, an essence of mystery and secrecy reflected in this passage that does still apply to modern Witchcraft.  Your Book of Shadows may contain very private thoughts and workings which you would not reveal to most people, and some Witches are obligated to live in the “Broom Closet”*

References & Resources

1 This passage can be found in Witchcraft Today by Gerald B. Gardner | The Witches Way by Janet and Stewart Farrar | excerpts are found in Positive Magic by Marion Weinstein | A Witches Bible Complete by Janet and Stewart Farrar | and many other sources.

* In The Broom Closet: A term used to refer to someone practicing Witchcraft secretly. There are many ‘Broom Closet’ Witches who do not reveal their spiritual path because they fear oppression and discrimination in their work and private lives.